The government has been urged to make it clear if and when boilers are going to be outlawed on new properties.
There was previously a commitment to ban boilers from 2035, but there’s since been a backtrack on that policy.
It’s thought gas boilers could still be outlawed on new properties as part of the Future Homes Standard being published later in the year.
Kat Auckland, communications and projects director at Geo Green Power, labelled the continued construction of new homes with gas boilers as “nonsensical”.
She said: “Given the devastating impact of the climate crisis it is nonsensical that new homes are being built without low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar PV.
“With the right policies, the renewable energy industry is ready to meet this challenge. We’ve already done it with solar panels – solar PV installation tripled during the energy crisis to meet demand – and we can do the same with heat pumps.
“We welcome the ongoing support for homeowners to invest in heat pumps with schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and we understand the government’s position in wanting to ensure that technology is cost effective before imposing legislation.
“However, a clear policy deadline would benefit the industry, increasing demand and competition and helping to support innovation and cost reduction. It would also send a clear message to homeowners and housebuilders across the country.”
Residential homes contribute around 13% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Heat pump adoption is being encouraged via a Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides a grant of up to £7,500 when users replace a gas boiler with a low carbon heating system.
The scheme currently runs until 2028 but is expected to be extended, while it falls under the Warm Homes Plan, which will be updated this Spring.
Older properties may require insulation upgrades or new radiators to maximise the efficiency of a heat pump.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, switching to a heat pump can reduce your home’s carbon emissions by up to 70%.